Rather than downplay the HondaJet’s unconventional look, with its over-the-wing engine mount (OTWEM), the manufacturer has chosen to embrace it. The new ad campaign features a series of clever images that suggest the frontal shape of the developmental jet, with appropriately positive connotations. Knowing the history of the HondaJet’s development, I love it.

The airspace between traditional business jet access models (charter, fractional ownership and jet cards) and first-class airline travel has been active lately, even if there’s not much to show for it. But while some would-be per-seat charter providers and fledgling “flight club” programs appear to be in a holding pattern, one alternative operator in California has quickly taken off: Surf Air, which offers more than a dozen scheduled daily flights between off-the-hub airports in the Bay Area and Los Angeles.

Global deliveries of turbine business airplanes increased 7.2 percent in this year’s first quarter over the first quarter of 2013, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. The jump in deliveries will most likely mean a boost to business at centers that perform aircraft completions and refurbishments and companies that provide interior components.

New-jet programs come in two flavors: completely clean-sheet-of-paper designs and updates of existing models. This article deals strictly with the former. The category is well populated, but mostly with midsize and super-midsize jets—a reflection of continuing softness in the entry-level sector and the rarefication of the large-jet and bizliner field. Bombardier, Cessna and Embraer all have models under development in what can be called the greater middle market, the most attractive category for fractional programs and other fleet customers. The large-jet business is seeing some action, although less of it: new projects are under way at Bombardier and Dassault and the rumor mill is running full tilt regarding Gulfstream programs building on the larger-cabin cross-section introduced by the G650.